What on Earth am I here for?
( Rick Warren)

Day 19: Cultivating community
James 3:18
Community requires commitment

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●Cultivating community takes honesty
-You will have to care enough to lovingly speak the truth, even when you would rather gloss over a problem or ignore an issue.

"Speak the truth in love"
-Ephesian 4:15

When conflict is handled correctly, we grow closer to each other by facing and resolving our differences.

The bible says, "In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery"

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●Cultivating community takes Humility
- Pride builds walls between people; humility builds bridges.
-Pride blocks God's grace in our lives. We receive God's grace by humbly admitting that we need it.
-Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.

●Cultivating Community takes Courtesy
-courtesy is respecting differences, being considerate of each other's feeling, and being patient with who irritate us.

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One key to courtesy is to understand where people are coming from. When you know what they've been through, you will be more understanding. Instead of thinking about how far they still have to go, think about how far they have come in spite of their hurts.